You feel called to Christian leadership, but the task seems daunting. Whether it is the public proclamation of the Word or a private meeting for counseling, you are not sure where to start. The best pastors, missionaries, and teachers that you have known have had wisdom, patience, skill in the Word, and humility. They are marked by their love of God. You have a vision of what you want to be, but you lack understanding of how to get there. How are you supposed to acquire these traits?
Consider the Master of Divinity degree. This is the core of everything that we do at Central. It is in this program that we seek to train leaders for local churches. You will gain proficiency in Greek and Hebrew which will prepare you for the exegesis that is the foundation of everything. Historical and systematic theology classes will inform your work in the text and connect you to centuries of believers who have gone before. Counseling courses will train you to appropriately apply the meaning of the text to life's problems. Pastoral theology will groom you to lead the way you ought.
An interview with Dr. Pratt concerning the M.Div. program
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Divinity degree is to equip Christian leaders to handle the Scriptures skillfully and to love God rightly so that they may bring truth to others.
Admissions
Applicants must hold a recognized four-year bachelors degree with a minimum GPA of 2.0. Applicants with a GPA greater than or equal to 2.0 but less than 2.5 will be accepted on probation. See Academic Discipline for more details.
Knowledge of the original biblical languages is essential and invaluable for educating students to preach and to teach confidently from the Scriptures. The student who is limited to the English text is somewhat deprived of a wealth of critical study aids. M.Div. students are expected to be able to perform exegetical work from the original languages; therefore, an emphasis is placed on those languages at Central Seminary. All students who have taken one or more years of Greek or one or more years of Hebrew must take a placement exam for that language. If a grade of B- or greater is received, the applicant will receive advanced standing credit. A maximum of 10 credits for Greek and 9 credits for Hebrew is allowed. Students are required to take at least one semester of Greek exegesis (NT 602) and one semester of Hebrew exegesis (OT 701) at Central Seminary.
Curriculum
Course Abbreviation/Credit Value/Course Name
Year One
BI 571 2 Hermeneutics**
ME 501 2 Personal Evangelism
NT 511 2 New Testament Introduction**
NT 521/522 6 Greek Grammar
OT 511 2 Old Testament Introduction**
PT 501 2 Foundations of Biblical Counseling
PT 703 2 Pastoral Theology
ST 511 2 Research and Writing**
ST 551/552 4 Systematic Theology I & II
Year Two
HT 501/502 4 Church History I & II
ME 601 2 Foundations of Missions
NT 531/532 4 Greek Syntax & Reading
OT 501/502 6 Hebrew Grammar
PT 704 2 Church Administration
ST 651/652 4 Systematic Theology III & IV
____ 4 Electives
Year Three
NT 571 2 New Testament Biblical Theology I
NT 601/602 4 Greek Exegesis
OT 601/602 6 Hebrew Syntax, Reading, & Exegesis
OT 672 2 Old Testament Biblical Theology I
PT 602 2 Homiletics
PT 701 2 Expository Preaching I
PT 726 0 Pastoral Internship Program
ST 751/752 4 Systematic Theology V & VI
____ 2 Electives
Year Four
HT 601 2 Baptist History
HT 602 2 Fundamentalism and Evangelicalism
PT 702 2 Expository Preaching II
PT 727 2 Pastoral Internship Program
PT 750 0 Senior Seminar
ST 701 2 Dispensations
____ 12 Electives
____ 0 Senior Doctrinal Defense
Total 96 Hours
*A three year program is available by request.
**First year students must take these classes their first year.
